Prasugrel switching from clopidogrel after percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome in Taiwanese patients: an analysis of safety and efficacy

The recommended maintenance dose of prasugrel for East Asian populations (i.e., Japanese and Taiwanese) is 3.75 mg as part of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for the prevention of recurrent ischemia and stent thrombosis in acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This modified dosage regimen has been established in studies conducted in Japan; however, the efficacy and safety of switching from clopidogrel to prasugrel DAPT among Taiwanese patients remain to be explored. In this phase IV, multicenter, single-arm, open-label study, we evaluated the 4-week pharmacodynamic response, and the 48-week safety outcomes of prasugrel 3.75 mg after a switch from clopidogrel in Taiwanese ACS patients. A total of 203 prasugrel-naïve ACS patients (over 90% male) who had received post-PCI clopidogrel DAPT for at least 2 weeks were enrolled from ten medical centers in Taiwan and subsequently switched to prasugrel 3.75 mg DAPT. Four weeks after the switch, P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) values were significantly decreased in the total cohort (mean − 18.2 ± 48.1; 95% confidence interval − 24.9 to − 11.5, p < 0.001), and there was an overall consistent antiplatelet response in the treated subjects. The proportion of patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HPR; PRU > 208) dropped from 23.5 to 10% (p < 0.001). Female sex was associated with a greater PRU reduction with prasugrel, whereas HPR at baseline, age ≥ 65 years, and body mass index ≥ 25 best predicted HPR at Week 4. Throughout the 48-week treatment with prasugrel, the incidences of MACE (1.0%) and TIMI major bleeding (2.0%) were rather low, accompanying an acceptable safety profile of TIMI minor (6.4%) and non-major, non-minor clinically relevant bleeding (3.0%). Overall, switching to the maintenance dose of prasugrel (3.75 mg) was observed to be effective and well tolerated among post-PCI ACS patients in Taiwan. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT03672097.

Active management of the target P2Y12 reaction unit range in patients undergoing stent-assisted coil embolization for unruptured cerebral aneurysms

BackgroundPlatelet function tests have been increasingly adopted to measure patient responses to antiplatelet drugs, and to predict complications. However, no established optimal antiplatelet management for stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) have been established. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of clopidogrel dose adjustment for active target P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU).MethodsA total of 202 consecutive patients undergoing SAC to treat unruptured intracranial aneurysms were prospectively recruited. All patients were given two antiplatelet agents starting 7 days prior to the procedure, and platelet function was measured with the VerifyNow test. Clopidogrel hyper-responsive patients received reduced dosing according to the values of follow-up PRUs before and 7, 14, 30, and 90 days after the procedure. Patients were divided into three groups according to clopidogrel responsiveness before treatment, and clinical outcomes and time in target PRU ranges (TTR) were analyzed.ResultsNo delayed ischemic or hemorrhagic events occurred that were associated with out-of-range PRU. PRU values in the hypo-responsive and hyper-responsive groups significantly improved 7 days after treatment with active target PRU management (p=0.05,<0.001, respectively). PRU values were controlled within the target PRU range with drug adjustment (p=0.034), and the time in TTR for all patients was 97% (4.8%–100%), which showed the feasibility of optimal control of PRU values with the protocol.ConclusionActive target PRU management can achieve control of optimal PRU values and may decrease perioperative ischemic and hemorrhagic events among patients undergoing SAC.

Antiaggregation effect of clopidogrel in coronary heart disease patients using omeprazole

BackgroundAntiplatelet agents used in coronary heart disease (CHD) cause gastrointestinal side effects. Omeprazole can prevent and cure these antiplatelet side effects. Clopidogrel combined with aspirin increases the risk of gastrointestinal tract ulcers and bleeding. This research studied the effect of omeprazole on the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.MethodsCHD patients using clopidogrel and aspirin receive omeprazole 20 mg in a single dose for 10 days. Platelet antiaggregation point for clopidogrel was measured using VerifyNow P2Y12. The cutoff points used were: low on treatment platelet reactivity (LPR) <85 P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU), normal on treatment platelet reactivity (NPR) 85–208 PRU, and high on treatment platelet reactivity (HPR) >208 PRU.ResultsUsing the paired t-test PRU points pre- and post-omeprazole were 154 ± 85.89 PRU and 169.4 ± 56.15 PRU, respectively. The PRU points were consistent or decreased from the previous PRU points below the HPR cutoff (p: 0.215; >0.05). Before omeprazole use, five patients were categorized as NPR, two patients as LPR, and three patients as HPR. After omeprazole use, two patients, each from HPR and NPR category had a PRU point >208; the rest showed results below the HPR point.ConclusionsIn this study the PRU points of clopidogrel after omeprazole use showed a PRU <208. The hypothesis that omeprazole may reduce the antiaggregation effect of clopidogrel as shown by the increase in PRU above the cutoff points >208 PRU (HPR) was not proven.

P25 Polymorphism of CYP2C19 is associated with poor platelet response to clopidogrel and indirectly affect TIMIi-flow among asian patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI

Background The platelet response to clopidogrel treatment is very important in patients with myocardial infarction undergoing primary PCI. Asian populations have been shown to have higher proportion of CYP2C19 gene polymorphism that may alter biotransformation of clopidogrel, than Caucasians. However, It is unclear whether platelet reactivity measured by P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) is affected by CYP2C19 polymorphism, and whether it will impair coronary flow among Asian patients with STEMI after primary PCI. Purpose: We sought to define whether polymorphisms on CYP2C19 genes will affect platelet reactivity response to Clopidgrel therapy, and whether subsequently it will affect the TIMI flow in Asian patients with STEMI undergoing primary PCI. Method: We studied 90 patients with STEMI receiving 600 mg loading dose of clopidogrel prior to primary PCI. High-on-treatment platelet reactivity was evaluated using the VerifyNow Assay. Patients with platelet reactivity more than 208 PRU are categorized as non-responders to Clopidogrel. Genotyping of CYP2C19 was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Post primary PCI TIMI flow was categorized into good (TIMI flow 3), and impaired (TIMI flow &lt;3). Results: Among all 90 patients (median age = 54.5 years old; 93.3% male), there were 36.6 % patients with CYP2C19 polymorhisms, carrying *2 or *3 alleles. Platelet reactivity test revealed 23.4% of all patients were Clopidogrel non-responders. Multivariate analysis showed CYP2C19 polymorphism is associated with Clopidogrel non-reponders (OR 4.7, p = 0.030), along with other factors such as: Diabetes, Renal impairment, and use of proton pump inhibitor drugs. After successful stent implantation during primary PCI, there were 24.4% patients still with TIMI flow &lt; 3. There was no direct correlation between CYP2C19 polymorphism and TIMI flow &lt; 3 after primary PCI. However, we found significant association between Clopidogrel non-reponders and TMI flow &lt; 3 after primary PCI in those STEMI patients (OR 3.3, p = 0.046). Conclusions: In Asian patients with STEMI receiving clopidogrel prior to primary PCI, the CYP2C19 polymorphisms is associated with poor platelet response to Clopidogrel therapy. The Clopidogrel non-responders is associated with impaired TIMI flow after primary PCI.

A 70-Year-Old Female with Unexpected Platelet Function Testing Results

A 70-year-old female with a history of hypertension and left A2 segment aneurysm was scheduled for pipeline embolization device (PED) placement. Preinterventional antiplatelet prophylaxis included aspirin and ticagrelor. Unexpectedly, after 13 days of treatment, VerifyNow showed a P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) value of 216, approximately &gt;5 times the mean PRU of other patients on aspirin and ticagrelor. We confirmed platelet reactivity and ticagrelor resistance with light transmission aggregometry. Antiplatelet therapy was switched to prasugrel, and aspirin was continued. Eight days later, the P2Y12 reaction value (PRU) was 164. PED was placed without complications. Unlike clopidogrel, ticagrelor is a direct P2Y12 inhibitor that does not require metabolism to an active metabolite. Ticagrelor resistance is very rarely reported. To the best of our knowledge, there has been no case of ticagrelor resistance reported in the context of pre-PED placement prophylaxis.

Procedural complexity independent of P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) values is associated with acute in situ thrombosis in Pipeline flow diversion of cerebral aneurysms

BackgroundAcute in situ thrombosis is an ischaemic phenomenon during Pipeline embolisation device (PED) procedures with potentially high morbidity and mortality. There is controversy regarding the role of platelet function testing with P2Y12 assay as a predictor of intraprocedural thromboembolic events. There is limited knowledge on whether procedural complexity influences these events.MethodsData were collected retrospectively on 742 consecutive PED cases at a single institution. Patients with intraprocedural acute thrombosis were compared with patients without these events.ResultsA cohort of 37 PED cases with acute in situ thrombosis (mean age 53.8 years, mean aneurysm size 8.4 mm) was matched with a cohort of 705 PED cases without intraprocedural thromboembolic events (mean age 56.4 years, mean aneurysm size 6.9 mm). All patients with in situ thrombosis received intra-arterial and/or intravenous abciximab. The two groups were evenly matched in patient demographics, previous treatment/subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and aneurysm location. There was no statistical difference in postprocedural P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU) values between the two groups, with a mean of 156 in the in situ thrombosis group vs 148 in the control group (p=0.5894). Presence of cervical carotid tortuosity, high cavernous internal carotid artery grade, need for multiple PED and vasospasm were not significantly different between the two groups. The in situ thrombosis group had statistically significant longer fluoroscopy time (60.4 vs 38.4 min, p<0.0001), higher radiation exposure (3476 vs 2160 mGy, p<0.0001), higher rates of adjunctive coiling (24.3% vs 8.37%, p=0.0010) and higher utilisation of balloon angioplasty (37.8% vs 12.2%, p<0.0001). Clinically, the in situ thrombosis cohort had higher incidence of major and minor stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage and length of stay.ConclusionsPredictors of procedural complexity (higher radiation exposure, longer fluoroscopy time, adjunctive coiling and need for balloon angioplasty) are associated with acute thrombotic events during PED placement, independent of PRU values.

Effect of ticagrelor with clopidogrel on high on-treatment platelet reactivity in acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (PRINCE) trial: Rationale and design

Rationale and aim Little is known about the safety and efficacy of the combination of ticagrelor and aspirin in acute ischemic stroke. This study aimed to evaluate whether the combination of ticagrelor and aspirin was superior to that of clopidogrel and aspirin in reducing the 90-day high on-treatment platelet reactivity for acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack, especially for carriers of cytochrome P450 2C19 loss-of-function allele. Sample size and design This study was designed as a prospective, multicenter, randomized, open-label, active-controlled, and blind-endpoint, phase II b trial. The required sample size was 952 patients. It was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02506140). Study outcomes The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity at 90 days. High on-treatment platelet reactivity is defined as the P2Y12 reaction unit >208 measured using the VerifyNow P2Y12 assay. Conclusion The Platelet Reactivity in Acute Non-disabling Cerebrovascular Events study explored whether ticagrelor combined with aspirin could reduce further the proportion of patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity at 90 days after acute minor stroke or transient ischemic attack compared with clopidogrel and aspirin.